Bristol at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 5,187 residents, ranking 150th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 5,194 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 0.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 150th by size among 605 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 75% of Wisconsin's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 42.5323, -88.0091 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Antioch, IL (5 mi); Pleasant Prairie, WI (6 mi); Salem Lakes, WI (6 mi); Kenosha, WI (8 mi); Lindenhurst, IL (8 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Paddock Lake, WI (6 mi); Old Mill Creek, IL (7 mi); Wadsworth, IL (7 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Bristol
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Bristol
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bristol
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Bristol:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.